Working 4 days a week? UK companies adopt the model after a 6-month trial

92% of British airlines will maintain the short-haul model

Giovanna Sutto

27 February 2023 09:33 am – Updated 50 minutes ago

4-day working week tested and approved in the UK: 92% of companies participating in a pilot scheme carried out between June and December 2022 will maintain the shorter working week format.

project “4-Day Week Worldwide” (four days a week, with free translation) tests the working day system involving 2,900 employees from 61 companies operating in the country. In it, the professional receives 100% of the salary for 80% of the work in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100% productivity (a model known as 100-80-100).

Organizations of various sizes and sectors such as education, banks, technology, human resources and retail voluntarily participated in the trials. The final report of the trial was published on the 21st, and shows that the model has achieved excellent adoption and will be incorporated into the plan by most companies.

Of the 5 companies that chose not to keep the working model, 2 decided to extend the trial period and 3 temporarily suspended the project.

The average revenue of participating companies increased by up to 35% compared to the same six months of previous years. In addition, the number of professionals who left companies during the trial fell by 57% – a sign that the short work model can retain talent.

Among employees, 90% say they would “definitely want to continue working” in this four-day-week format. A piece of 15% goes further: they say how much money will not be enough to accept the next job with five working days.

When it comes to well-being at work, 71% of employees say they’ve downsized Burn it (chronic stress associated with a poorly managed workplace), 43% see improved mental health, 39% feel less stressed, and 37% report some improvement in physical health.

Reducing work hours means focusing on productivity and having more time for well-being. Another evident effect was on the journey between work and personal life: 60% of employees reported that they were better able to balance work with responsibilities at home, including taking care of children.

The report submitted this month made no mention of the negative side of the initiative. A preliminary paper from the study, published in September 2022, indicated that some organizations, particularly those with more conservative cultures, were less flexible and had older leaders.

The difference between men and women

Juliet Shore, lead researcher and professor at Boston College, says the trials are particularly positive because they show consistent results across workplaces of varying sizes, proving it’s an innovation that works for many types of organizations.

Dale Wheelhan, CEO “4-Day Week Worldwide”, suggesting that the model produced gender differences. While both men and women benefit from the four-day week, women’s experience is generally better: they show more improvement in their levels. Burn itSatisfaction with life and work, improved mental health and reduced travel time.

“The burden of non-work duties appears in the evening, and men take on a greater share of housework and childcare during the four-day work week,” she said.

4 working days worldwide

project “The 4-Day Week Global” It has been tested in several countries: 91 companies and approximately 3,500 workers in 6 countries (Australia, Canada, USA, Ireland and New Zealand in addition to the United Kingdom).

A new report with results from Australia and New Zealand will be released soon. Companies from Brazil and South Africa are also being tested. oh InfoMoney The scheme’s counsel was contacted to get more details on the scheme’s operation in the national region, but a response was not received as of this publication.

“4-Day Week Worldwide” With the help of researchers from the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and Boston College, the global advisory also has the backing of Autonomy.